SCIENZE BIOMEDICHE

Learning Objectives

• CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA

  The General Chemistry course provides the basic knowledge of the atomic structure of chemical species, chemical bonds, general properties of solutions, general features of the reactions (stoichiometry, spontaneity, completeness, rate) and the main parameters which affect these properties, elements of thermodynamics and kinetic. The student is able to identify the structure, geometry and nomenclature of inorganic compounds and the student is able to balance chemical reaction starting from reagents and to predict if they are or not spontaneous reactions.

• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

  The course aims to provide the basic informations on organic chemistry and describe the structure and functions of molecules in living cells

• Applied Biology

  This module aims to provide a preparation in Applied Biology suitable for understanding the basic notions of modern General Biology (Cellular and Molecular) with elements of Genetics and Molecular Genetics, together with the learning and use of a correct scientific language and strict.

  At the end of the module, the student will have acquired the basic notions on the morphology and function of specific cellular systems, as well as on the mechanisms underlying the inheritance of characters and the flow of genetic information contained in the latter. At the same time he will have acquired a study method that tends to support the understanding of the existing structure / function relationship for each cellular component or compartment, and the relationship it has in the context of the cell.

  The learning of these notions will therefore make clear to the student the mechanisms of passage from the genotype to the molecular and cellular phenotype, both in physiological and pathological conditions, a necessary preparation for the understanding of the techniques used in the biomedical laboratory for the evaluation of biological parameters of human subjects. .

   

  With reference to the Dublin Descriptors, this course helps to acquire the following transversal skills:

  D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING When the course is finished, in order to pass the exam the students must demonstrate that they have acquired inductive and deductive reasoning skills in the scientific field and knowledge regarding the general concepts of living matter: the flow and the regulation of gene information, cellular modifications following a stimulus, the intra- and extra-cellular communication pathways, the application of cellular communication in “vitro” and in “vivo”, the foundations of Mendelian genetics.

  D2-ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will have to demonstrate (1) the ability to recognize the most common mechanisms underlying cellular communication, as well as the related gene function in order to be able to face in subsequent courses, the study of normal and pathological functions of the human body; (2) Ability to apply the acquired knowledge for the description of intra- and inter-cellular biological phenomena, rigorously using the scientific method.

  D3-AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT The student must have acquired the ability of critical reasoning, as well as the knowledge for the understanding of the existing structure / function relationship for each cellular component or compartment and their application in the various biological systems.

  D4-COMMUNICATION SKILLS The student must have the ability to interact professionally and competently with public and private entities. The student must have the ability to transmit the knowledge acquired in a clear and understandable way and accessible to non-competent people. with properties of language and terminological rigor.

  D5-LEARNING SKILLS The student must be able to examine and understand scientific texts, illustrating motivations and results, demonstrating to have learned an analytical and critical study method, a scientific language characterized by a correct and rigorous terminology and a modality of description organized and understandable, in order to use them in everyday contexts for the profession and for research.

Course Structure

• CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA

  Class lessons and exercises discussed in class with the teacher, power point presentations.

  The students have to take a written test composed by questions and problems. The students with an evaluation equal or higher than 18/30 have the possibility to take an oral exam (optional).

• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

  The frequency is mandatory as established by the Regulation.

  The course includes lectures and classroom exercises.

  During the course, additional teaching material will be distributed in electronic format by Studium

• Applied Biology

  The course is organized in lectures and classroom exercises. Insights on specific topics are presented as participation in seminars & webinars, with the guidance of the teacher and following discussion on the topics covered. The frequency to the lecture is mandatory.

  The student must have acquired the basic knowledge in the field of Biology provided by the normal high school curricula relating to the main cellular processes necessary for the understanding of the normal and pathological biological molecular mechanisms of living organisms. A good knowledge of English is desirable to consult scientific texts and articles, and to use webinars in the language.

  Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Detailed Course Content

• CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA

  The atomic theory; atomic composition; atomic and mass numbers. Isotopes and atomic weight. Periodic Table and relation with electronic configuration. Ionization energy, electron affinity, atomic and ionic radii.

  Minimum and molecular formula. Valence and oxidation degrees. Nomenclature. Lewis structures of molecule and polyatomic ions. Molecular geometry. Resonance, isomers, PM and PF. The mole and NA. Molar mass and numbers of moles.

  Chemical bond: General concepts. Ionic bond: lattice energy, stoichiometry and geometry of ionic compounds. Covalent bonds: electronegativity and bond polarity; bond energy and distance. Valence bond theory. Intermolecular forces: Van der Waals, London and hydrogen bond.

  Solid, liquid and gaseous states: general properties. Equation of state for gases. Gas mixtures: partial pressure.

  Solutions: General properties of solutions. Concentration. Solubility. Solutions of electrolytes. Ideal diluted or concentrated solutions. Changes of state in liquid solutions. Raoult and Henry laws. Osmosis. Colligative properties and determination of molecular weight.

  Chemical reactions and equations; mass conservation law. Equation balancing. Redox reactions and their balancing. Reactions in solution and ionic equations; redox half-reactions. Mass relation in the reactions; equivalent weight.

  Generalities of thermodynamics;

  Generalities of kinetics

  Chemical equilibrium: The equilibrium constants: Kc and Kp. Homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria. Le Chatelier's principle. Solubility and Kps. Effects of P,V,T, concentrations of reagents and products on the position of the equilibria. Simultaneous equilibria. Stoichiometric calculations on equilibria.

  Acids and bases: Protonic theory of acid and bases. Autoionization; Kw. Ka and Kb. Polyprotic acids and bases. Molecular structure and acid/base properties. Acidity of solutions: pH. Acid-base reactions. Buffers. pH and solubility.

  Electrochemistry

  Electrolysis.

• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

  Organic chemistry

  • Carbon: binding capacity, three-dimensional orientation of the molecules bound to it
  • Hydrocarbons (Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, Alkyl Halides, Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons, Reactions of Hydrocarbons)
  • Alcohols and Ethers (Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers)
  • Aldehydes
  • Ketones
  • Hemiacetals and Hemichetals
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Esters
  • Amines
  • Amino acids
  • Amides
  • Aromatic Compounds

  Biochemistry

  • Carbohydrates (Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Polysaccharides)
  • Lipids (Fatty Acids, Triglycerides, Soaps, Waxes, Phospholipids, Glycolipids, Fatty Acid Derivatives, Steroids)
  • Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids (Constituents of nucleic acids, Polymerization and structure of nucleic acids, Metabolism of nucleic acids)
  • Proteins (Amino acids, Peptide bond, Protein structure, Protein denaturation, Hemoglobin and myoglobin, Glycoproteins, Lipoproteins, Methods of protein analysis)
  • Enzymes (Structure, Mechanism of action, Enzyme kinetics, Nomenclature and classification, Diagnostic use of enzymes, Enzyme inhibition, Enzyme regulation).
  • Metabolism: Introduction to metabolism: catabolic and anabolic pathways. Importance of ATP in the link between catabolism and anabolism.
  • The carbohydrate metabolism. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Glycogenolysis, glycogenosynthesis and their regulation. Glycolysis and ATP synthesis "at the substrate level". Metabolic fate of pyruvate: production of lactate and oxidative decarboxylation with release of acetyl-CoA. The Krebs cycle. The way of the pentoses (hints). Gluconeogenesis.
  • The lipid metabolism. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Plasma lipoproteins (outline). The catabolism of triglycerides and fatty acids (beta oxidation). The biosynthesis of fatty acids. The ketone bodies, outline. Biosynthesis and roles of cholesterol (outline).
  • The mitochondrial respiratory chain, ATP production. The metabolism of nitrogen compounds. Digestion of proteins and absorption of amino acids.
  • The metabolism of amino acids. Gluconeogenetic and ketogenetic amino acids. The elimination of ammonia. Urea cycle, outline.
• Applied Biology

  The general characteristics of living matter. Chemical composition of living matter. Cell theory.

  THE BASES OF THE BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION - Classification of organisms. Structure and function of the prokaryotic cell: plasma membrane, cell wall, nucleoid. Structure and function of eukaryotic cells: plasma membrane, nucleus, nucleolus, nucleoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, Golgi complex, lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton (microfilaments, microtubules, intermediate filaments). Virus (mode of infection, lytic and lysogenic cycle).

  NUCLEIC ACIDS - structure and function of DNA and RNA.

  STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE GENE - Gene structure in prokaryotes: organization of operons. Gene structure in eukaryotes: function of promoters, exons and introns.

  DUPLICATION OF DNA - Model of semiconservative replication. General characteristics of DNA duplication: DNA polymerases, topoisomerases, the replication bubble, Okazaki fragments, "proofreading". Replication in bacteria. Replication in eukaryotes: telomere replication.

  RNA TRANSCRIPTION AND MATURATION - Dogma of molecular biology. Structure and function of the ANNs of the first, second and third class. General characteristics of the transcription. RNA polymerases. The transcription factors. Transcription in prokaryotes: beginning and termination of transcription.

  Transcription in eukaryotes: assembly of the pre-initiation complex, end of transcription. Mechanisms of mRNA maturation: capping, polyA tail, splicing.

  PROTEIN SYNTHESIS - The properties of the genetic code. The translation apparatus: structure and function of ribosomes and tRNAs. Beginning of the translation. Elongation. Termination.

  MYTHOSIS AND MEIOSIS - Genetic significance of meiosis.

  MENDELIAN GENETICS
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Textbook Information

• CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA

  Chimica per le Scienze Biomediche (George I. Sackheim, Dennis D. Lehman- EdiSES)

  Chimica (Kotz -Treichel-Townsend (ed edizioni precedenti)- EdiSeS)

  Chimica Un approccio molecolare (N. J. Tro - Zanichelli)

• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

  Chimica e Biochimica - M. Bertoldi, D. Colombo, F. Magni, O. Marin, P. Palestini - Edises Università

  Principi di Biochimica di Lehninger - D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox - Zanichelli Editore

• Applied Biology

  Teaching material is provided by the teacher and is available as pdf files on Studium (studium.unict.it). It will be based on handouts and articles or monographs taken from the scientific literature as well as the slides shown in class.

  The following texts are Sufficient to satisfy the minimum of program

  1. Elements of Biology - Curtis, Barnes, Schnek Massarini - Zanichelli 2017

  2. Biology and Genetics - Donati, Stefani and Taddei - Zanichelli, 2019

  A more complete text, with many insights: sufficient for those interested in continuing in scientific and research training through a Master's or a Master's degree program upon completion of this degree course:

  3. Elements of Biology and Genetics - Sadava, Hillis, Heller, Hacker - Zanichelli, 2019

  A very complete text, with many insights, including interdisciplinary connections and at a molecular level: optimal for those who are interested in continuing in a scientific and research training through a Master or a Master's degree program upon completion of this degree course:

  4. Essential of Molecular Biology of the Cell - Alberts, Bray, Hopkin et al. Zanichelli 2015

  NOTE: In any case, it is necessary to use the most recent edition of the reference texts, even with respect to the one indicated.